Cal Poly prepares for graduation weekend

Commencement ceremonies at Cal Poly this weekend will celebrate the accomplishments of about 3,800 students.

The university will hold ceremonies Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. in Alex G. Spanos Stadium.

As many as 30,000 people are expected to attend, Cal Poly officials say.

Saturday’s keynote speaker will be Apple executive Peter Oppenheimer, a Cal Poly agricultural business alumnus who graduated in 1985.

Oppenheimer will receive an honorary doctor of science degree.

Longtime Cal Poly supporters Bert and Candace Forbes will make Sunday’s keynote address. They co-founded the technology company Ziatech Corp. in 1976, which was purchased by Intel in 2000. They’ll also receive honorary doctor of science degrees.

Saturday’s commencement will include the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (749 eligible graduates); College of Liberal Arts (592 eligible grads); College of Science and Mathematics (545 eligible grads; 197 credentials); and Continuing Education (17 eligible grads).

Sunday’s ceremony will feature the College of Architecture and Environmental Design (390 eligible grads); Orfalea College of Business (480 eligible grads); and College of Engineering (1,097 eligible grads).

“The members of the Class of 2012 are well educated, resourceful and innovative,” said Cal Poly President Jeff Armstrong in a statement. “We can’t wait to see what wonderful things they accomplish in the years to come.”